S. Sudan army says military settlements uncovered in Eastern Equatoria
December 22, 2014 (JUBA) – South Sudanese army says it has broken up three military settlements discovered in separate locations in eastern Equatoria state.
The revelations comes after the army announced last week it would carry out a mountain to mountain search in Eastern Equatoria, particularly in Madi and Acholi area region where reports of resentful local youth are suspected have flipped to opposition in protest of occupation of their area and abuse by non-natives, predominantly members of internally displaced from Dinka community.
Army spokesperson, Col. Philip Aguer denied the existence of rebels along the Juba-Nimule road, describing as banditry an attack which recently occurred along the 193km highway.
Unknown people burnt down two commercial trucks and seriously injured one driver.
“There are rebels on Nimule –Juba road. The reports that the rebels carried out the attack are just propaganda. They rebels do not have a base in the whole of Equatoria region. What happened was banditry act and the SPLA forces in division 2 have started a mountain to mountain search,” Aguer told the state-owned SSTV on Friday.
“They will not leave a single stone unturned. SPLA therefore asks cooperation of the community in this operation so that complete law and order is assured,” he added.
He was reacting to reports by the armed opposition allied to the former vice president turned rebel leader, Riek Machar that they have expanded their operations in recent months to Equatoria region, launching roadside ambushes and attacks as the government has become increasingly involved in regional and the international efforts to contain the conflict through peaceful dialogue.
However, some senior military intelligence officers gave accounts acknowledging the existence of military settlements in Eastern Equatoria allegedly set up with neither the knowledge of the state government, central government nor the national army.
“The SPLA forces in division 2, during the mountain to mountain and house to house search for illegal weapons in eastern Equatoria state, especially in Nimule region discovered the presence of military settlements. Another one was discovered in Jie area,” said Aguer.
Military uniforms, ammunition, magazines and military insignia were reportedly found during these operations.
They were found in places have not been civilian settlements before. They have never been villages. They are in the bush and no one in these places has outcome with information about who were there,” he further disclosed.
(ST)